The EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) provides detailed data on contaminants monitored in public water systems. For the Des Moines Waterworks system serving Polk County, Iowa, federal occurrence monitoring from 2013 to 2015 found no detection of 1,2,3-trichloropropane (1,2,3-TCP) above the reporting level. Specifically, twelve samples showed concentrations below 0.03 micrograms per liter (parts per billion), a level set for federal monitoring rather than regulatory limits. This means the chlorinated solvent known as TCP was not measured at quantifiable levels in system-wide samples.
Why the Reporting Level for This Solvent Is Thousands of Times Lower Than for Common Metals
1,2,3-TCP is a synthetic chlorinated compound historically used as a soil fumigant and chemical intermediate. Because of its potential health effects at very low levels, the Environmental Protection Agency sets its monitoring reporting level orders of magnitude lower than thresholds for many metals. While common metal contaminants might be measured in parts per million, the detection limit for this chlorinated solvent is at parts per trillion scale. This ultra-low reporting threshold enables early identification of TCP but does not imply the water is unsafe when not detected at those tiny scales.
The Agricultural Land-Use History of the Region and How It Maps Onto Detections
Polk County and the greater Des Moines area include both urban and agricultural land uses. Use of soil fumigants containing compounds similar to 1,2,3-TCP peaked in the mid-20th century but has since declined or ceased. The surface water source for the Des Moines Waterworks reflects cumulative effects from upstream land use. However, federal data indicates no measurable presence of TCP during the monitoring period, consistent with either minimal local legacy contamination or effective source water protection.
How Many Samples and Wells Stand Behind the Figures, and What a Small Sample Means
The EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule sampling for this system involved twelve measurements over several months from surface water sources. While this sample size provides a snapshot of TCP presence, it does not fully represent every individual water connection or all seasonal variations. A limited number of samples can miss isolated or transient detections, so household water should be independently tested for personal assurance, especially if previous treatment equipment has failed.
How Sample Depth, Well Depth or Source Type Changes What a Reader Should Expect
Des Moines Waterworks relies on surface water rather than groundwater wells. TCP's occurrence and transport differ significantly between groundwater and surface water due to soil filtration and chemical degradation processes. Monitoring of surface water typically captures broader watershed influences rather than localized well conditions. Therefore, individual household water may vary, underscoring the importance of specific well or tap testing to determine if 1,2,3-trichloropropane is present in a given home.
Maintenance Rhythm of the Documented Technology in Plain Terms
For households addressing concerns with chlorinated solvents like 1,2,3-TCP, equipment such as the Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter provides a targeted solution. This filter ships ready to configure and incorporates specialized media designed to reduce trace TCP levels effectively. Regular maintenance involves periodic replacement of filter media based on water usage and manufacturer guidelines, ensuring ongoing performance without complex upkeep.
How a Soil Fumigant Impurity From the 1950s-1980s Reached Deep Groundwater Decades Later
1,2,3-TCP was not a primary component of soil fumigants but appeared as a manufacturing impurity in products used from the 1950s through the 1980s. Over time, this impurity migrated through soil and fractured rock layers, occasionally reaching deep groundwater reservoirs. This slow transport means legacy contamination may still affect some water sources long after production ceased, but the federal record for Des Moines Waterworks surface water shows no detectable TCP at the reporting threshold, reflecting a different contamination profile.
In summary, federal monitoring records indicate that 1,2,3-TCP has not been detected at quantifiable levels in the Des Moines Waterworks system serving Polk County. This information, combined with the region's land use history and source water type, suggests low likelihood of system-wide presence. However, individual household water quality can vary, especially when equipment fails. Testing your water and considering a product like the Pentair 1,2,3-TCP Filter can provide an effective approach to addressing any specific concerns about this chlorinated solvent.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2015-04-01. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR3 monitoring (2013-2015) for Des Moines Waterworks (IA7727031), IA: 12 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level
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